Express Entry candidates with a minimum of 352 CRS points invited in the latest AINP draw

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program invited a total of 159 Express Entry candidates to apply for the Alberta Express Entry stream in a provincial draw held on February 16. The minimum score required in the latest Alberta PNP draw - Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 352.

Invited applicants can now submit their application for provincial nomination and If their application is accepted, the nomination will propel them to the top of the Express Entry pool.

All applicants invited to the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (NPP) draw had a profile in the Express Entry system.

Those who receive the Alberta Provincial Nomination will automatically get an additional 600 CRS points added to their overall score. This means that the lowest-performing candidates in this draw would get a new score of 952.

Basics on Alberta PNP�s Express entry stream

Alberta PNP's Express entry stream is an enhanced stream that allows the express entry candidates with strong ties to the province or who can support the province's diversification priorities and economic development nominated to live as a permanent resident in the province. 

Alberta has only considered applicants who are already living and working in the province during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants must also have work experience in a qualifying occupation. The AINP only provides a list of professions that they will not take into consideration.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

Last fall, the federal government increased the number of occupations that are not eligible for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in Alberta. However, applicants who received an invitation after November 1, 2020, may be selected through the Alberta Express Entry stream, even if they work in a profession for which the federal government will not process an LMIA.

Alberta was allocated 6,250 nominations in 2020. But because of the pandemic, it has been reduced to 4,000 nominations. These nominations were issued in June 2020. That is why Alberta did not hold any draws for the second half of the year.

The number of provincial nominations allocated to Alberta for 2021 has yet to be released.